Garment clasp



A. WEIS GARMENT CLASP June 7, 1960 Filed May 12. 1952 United StatesPatent GARMENT CLASP Arthur Weis, 655 S. Wells St., Chicago, 11].

Filed May 12, 1952, Ser. No. 287,325

3 Claims. (Cl. 24-248) This invention relates to garment clasps and moreparticularly to stocking garter clasps of the type illustrated anddescribed in my Letters Patent No. 2,470,122, dated May 17, 1949,although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantagefor other purposes.

it contemplates more especially the provision of an improved, simplifiedand more effective garment clasp which has extended engaging members tograsp a substantial number of threads in a garment such as stockings inorder to avoid runs therein.

Numerous types of clasps have heretofore been proposed in connectionwith garment supports, but these have not proven entirely satisfactoryin that they are either possessed of too much bulk or engage only acomparatively few threads of the garment to the end of creating runs indelicate fabrics such as silk stockings. Such garment clasps as haveheretofore been designed for this purpose are either too expensive inconstruction or do not permit the fullest use of plastic material intheir construction or involve metallic parts that are not sufficientlydurable with plastic material elements to constitute an advantageouslyconstructed and effective garment clasp.

In devices of this character, it is desirable that there be a minimumclasp body to avoid detection from external view, afford maximum comfortto the wearer, and effectively grasp a comparatively large number ofthreads in each garment for support Without any possible impairment suchas runs which are common in silk stockings. Plastic material lendsitself very well to such devices from an appearance and comfortstandpoint, but the inherent weakness of plastic material in small thinbodies such as clasps, constitutes limitations upon the constructionthereof and elements assembled in conjunction therewith. To avoid thedefects of known garment supporting clasps, a comparatively small,compact, and improved garment clasp has been provided for effectivelygrasping fabrics without impairment thereto, and which lends itself tomoulding or other methods of production from plastic material as to themajor elements thereof.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction andimprove the operation of devices of :the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide improved garment clasps having extendedcomplemental members that more effectively engage a comparatively largenumber of threads in a garment and are capable of durable plasticmaterial construction.

Still another object is to provide a comparatively thin plastic clampingmember corresponding with the contour of the human leg or thigh andproviding an elongated engaging edge to serve as a complement for aplastic clip mounted in yielding engagement therewith to effect thegrasp of a comparatively large number of threads of a garmenttherebetween.

A further object is to provide a pair of confronting elongated arcua-tecomplemental engaging members that are operatively connected :by meansof improved toggle spring members to effect their detachable engagementwith a fabric therebetween.

A still further object is to provide a pair of complemental engagingmembers that have elongated engaging edges formed from suitable plasticmaterial to provide a light, comparatively small and inexpensive claspwith effective toggle spring elements to support a garment by acomparatively large number of threads thereof.

Still a further object is to provide arcuately curved elongated engagingedges on complemental members of a clip for joinder by outwardly bowedstrips for effective detachable engagement of a fabric through themedium of improved toggle operated clasping members.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionof an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawingz' Figure l is a front view in elevation of a garmentclasp shown and illustrated in connection with a human limb and fabricstocking to show the manner of support thereof.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of a complete garment claspembodying features of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a rear view in elevation of the garment clasp shown inFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a side edge view in elevation of the garment clasp shown inFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a top plan view in elevation of the garment clasp shown inFigure 2 with the clip and toggle members in an inoperative verticalposition and the toggle lever in a horizontal position, respectively.

Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the clip actuator toggleelement in a horizontal position and the back plate member in a verticalposition shown assembled in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged front view in elevation of the back plate membershown in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the plate member takensubstantially along line VIIIVIII of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along lineIX-lX of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 9 takensubstantially along line X-X of Figure 5 with the clip member shown in aposition ready for engaging fabric such as a fabric stocking toptherewith.

Figure 11 is an enlarged front view in elevation of the clip actuatortoggle element shown in Figure 10.

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as alimitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is merelyillustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations andadaptations of all or part of the teachings depending upon the dictatesof commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises a comparativelythin plate member 10 that has arcuately shaped side edges 1112, a curvedbottom edge 13, and a substantially flat back surface 14 to generallyconform with the contacted surface of the human leg or thigh 15. Theback 14 of the plate member 10 is, in this instance, provided withvertically extended parallel grooves 16 that present a somewhatinterrupted surface that will cling to the skin of the leg or thigh 15.

The plate member 10 is, in this instance, vertically elongated toprovide a comparatively narrower horizontal upper portion 17 having itsside edges 11 and 12 slightly curved and divergent downwardly to presenta straight upper edge extremity 18. The upper edge extremity 18 is, inthis instance, interrupted by a vertical rectangular cut-out'or slot 19provided plate member lll'to extend proximate to and communicating withthe top edge 18 thereof. The vertical recta ula c tu -o l r er up d rylalign d confronting horizontal ears 20-2lj(Figure 7)" that ex tendintothe rectangular cut-out. or "slot -19 to provide for the pivotalmovement and displacement of a toggle lever thereinas will.appear morefully hereinafter. j The peripheraledges definingthe outline of theplate member 10 and the confronting ears 20-21 are thicker than theremaining interior portion'ofthe plate member 10 to provide suflicientbody for and define a substantially rectangular recessed surface orcavity 22 that is complemental to and receives a correspondingly shapedclip or clamping member 23 similar in shape to but smaller than theexterior contour and outline of the plate member 10. The confrontingears 20-21 have transversely'extending upwardly open cylindrical pinreceiving slots 24-25 that are axially aligned to communicate "at theirinner ends with the vertical throat 26 of the cut-out or slot 19, andthe slots 19 are closed'at their outer ends to terminate in downwardlyextending bores or apertures 27-28 defininga pair of rightangledshaped'openings 24-27 and 25-28 to receive there- 'between'jasubstantially U-shaped pivot pin 29 (Figure 6) to be hereinafterdescribed. The upper recess or cavity 22 ofthe plate member 10 isoutlined by upraised peripheral reinforcing ribs 20'-3 031-32121' that"merge with the lower thinner arcuate edge portions 11-12-13 that iscomparatively larger than the upraised ribs 2030-31-32-2 1' wherein theslots 24- 25 are provided and terminate in" the'confronting portions orears 20-21. i The lower thinner and wider bottom'plate portion 13terminates in an arcuately curved extensive lower edge 33 which has anupwardly turned'flange 34 defining a straight horizontal trough 35. Thelower stocking'engaging trough 35 is roughened at its bottom and issubstanti'ally elongated to extend for a distance commensurate withacomparatively large number of interwoven threads from which garmentssuch as stockings 36 are constructed, thereby eifectively grasping thefabric as will appear more fully hereinafter. The comparatively largenumber of threads will collectively support the garment when properlyheld in the trough 35 as will appear more fully hereinafter. It shouldbeobserved that the bottom surface of the trough 35 is serrated orroughened to effectively hold the stocking against any possible slippagewhen the clip member 23 is in engagement therewith to preclude anyaccidental disengagement of the gripped fabric therefrom when the clip'23 is in operative engagement therewith.

While the extent of the trough 35 may vary within a wide range dependingupon the garment to be supported, it may approximate three-quarter inchto one and one-half inches /4" to 1 /2) to effectively and withoutimpairment grasp delicate hose that are easily subjected to runsresponsive to the slightest abuse. The clip member 23 has acomparatively wide reinforcing vertical median rib 36 formed integralwith its back surface to extend upwardly for termination in a pair ofspaced horizontally apertured ears or bosses 37, and the recess orcavity 22 in the plate member 10 is provided with a complementaldepression which accommodates the ears 37 and the reinforcing rib 36'when the clip memberr23 is in operative engagement with the plate member10.

In order to frictionally engage and securely hold a closely woven fabricsuch as a stocking 36 in the trough 35, a clip member 23 conforms in thegeneral flaring shape, of and arcuate contour with the plate .member 10;

however, the straight horizontal serrated or roughened plate membertrough'35 is complemental to the lower in the upper body of the '0: theclip s eared r a 23 is substantially rectangular to provide a horizontaland backwardly inset lower engaging edge mount for the lever '42 on theplate member 10 and to pivotally connect with the clip 23. as at 46 toserve as toggle lever members 23-42. The U-shaped pivot pin in thegrooves 24-27 and 25-28 of the confronting 29 with its right angularextremities 44-45 are received in the, grooves, 24-27 and 25-28 of theconfronting ears 20-21 that are retained against spreading by the rightangled pin extremities 44-45 in the. groove end apertures 27-28. p

A straight pin 46 bridges the slot 47 defining spaced furcations 48-49in thebosses 37 formed integral with the rearward upper wall portion ofthe clip 23 (Figures 3 and 5 for mounting thereon (Figure 10)., This pin"46 extends through an aperture,50 provided in the extremity of an arm51 which fits between the clip furcations 48-49 (Figure 5) to pivotallyconnect the toggle lever 42 to the clip member 23 which will rest in theplate member recess or cavity 22 with the clip engaging edge 38withinthe flange 34 to abut against the roughened groove edge 35(Figures 9 and 10) so that the stocking fabric 36 is clutched and heldfirm by the roughened or serrated surfaces 35-40-41. The plastic clipmember 23 is somewhat flexible and .yields slightly to compensate forthe thickness of the fabric or garment held in the trough 35 by the clipedge 38. Thus a very efiec- 'tive grasp of the material in the trough 35between the plate flange 34 and clip edge 38 is maintained by the toggleaction of the clip 23 and its actuator lever 42 which precludes any.accidental release thereof'as will presently appear from a more detaileddescription of its function.

The other arm 52 of the toggle lever actuator 42 (Figure 10) terminatesin an enlarged semi-oval extremity '53 having a transverse slot 54therein to receive the reinforced end or loop 55 of an elastic garter 56usually attached to'and depending from an undergarment 57. -It should'be noted that, the toggle lever 42 has semicylindrical and laterallyextending hubs 58-59 surrounding the projecting'U-shaped pin 29 toreceive the complemental semi-cylindrical ears or bosses 20-21 formedaround the pin grooves 24-25 in the plate member 10 adjacentthe'vertical throat 21 so that theseparts may be interfitted androtatively assembled when the lever 42 is in its extremecounterclockwise position (viewed from Figure 10) relative to the platemember 10 which is somewhat further displaced than the normally openposition of the members (Figure 10). The laterally extending togglelever hubs 58-59 engage behind the semi-cylindrical ears or bosses 20-21when the toggle lever is displaced to a position in the plane of theplate10 and the clip 23 is in clamping position within and against thetrough 35, thereby precluding the accidental removal of the U-shapedpivot pin 29 from its operative assembled position irrespective of thetension on the tape 56. o 1 7' Inthis extreme position which is onlypossible before the clip 23 is assembled 'With the lever 42, thesemicircular bosses 20-21 can enter the complemental semicircular groove24-25 with the U-shaped projection pin 29 lodged in the slots 24-27 and25-28 so that counterg clockwise displacement therebetween (viewed fromFigtween the lever 42 and the plate member the clip 23 can then beassembled with the toggle lever 42 through the medium of the pin 46.After assembly of the clip 23 with the toggle lever 42, the former willnot permit the latter to be displaced in a counterclockwise direction(viewed from Figure 10) for a suflicient distance to permit thesemicircular ears or bosses 20-21 (Figures 8 and 9) to ride out of thecomplemental arcuate grooves 24-25 (Figures 10 and 11). This arrangementprovides a very simple, inexpensive and effective assembly of theprimary complemental elements 10, 23, and 42.

The center of turning 29 of the toggle lever 42 is offset outwardly fromthe pivotal connection 46 of the toggle lever 42 with the clip 23 sothat when the latter is closed against the trough 35 with or without thefabric therebetween, the common pivot point 46 between the togglemembers 23-42 will be disposed inwardly of the load line extendingbetween the pin 29 and the clip engaging trough 35, thereby precludingtheir accidental disengagement without first depressing the lever 42 ina clockwise d rection (viewed from Figure 10). This opening ordisengaging displacement is opposite to the pull exerted on the togglelever 42 by the garter 56. The pull exerted by the garter 56 will tendto more securely hold the toggle members 23-42 in efiective engagementwith the plate member trough 35.

The plate member 19 and clip 23 will efiect the uniform grasp of agarment such as stockings 36 and support them through the medium of thegarter strap 56 that may be a .part of an under-garment 57 or a separategarter belt independent of any garment. It will thus be apparent,therefore, that the clip 23 which may be molded or otherwise shaped frommetal, plastic or other suitable material to conform with and assume aposition adjacent to the plate member 10 provide a toggle actiontherewith. In consequence thereof, the clip 23 will be self-locking tohold the fabric 36 in the trough 35 so that it can effectively serve asa support thereof in conjunction with the garter 56.

The self-locking position of the clip 23 is effected by displacing it toits extreme position in contact with the plate member 10 to cause theplastic material to flex somewhat for tightly embracing the fabric orthat part of the garment 36 which is disposed in the trough 35. All thestructural elements described above may be advantageously produced froma suitable plastic such as nylon, except for the pins 29 and 46, and thegarter 56. This is conducive to a very attractive construction which islight in weight and smooth to the touch, highly sanitary, free fromdiscoloration, readily Washable, and inexpensive in construction andassembly.

It will thus be apparent that a very simple, effective and improvedsupporting garter clasp has been provided which can be used inconnection with the most delicate fabrics for effecting the graspthereof Without impairment thereto.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of thisinvention, it must be understood that the invention is capable ofconsiderable variation and modification Without departing from thespirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to theprecise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself ofsuch variations and modifications as come Within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a garment engaging clasp, the combination with a substantiallyflat body member, of a transversely extending flange formed along thebottom of said body member, said body member having an elongatedvertical opening communicating with the top edge thereof, spacedsemi-cylindrical confronting ears having horizontal pm grooves thereinformed on both sides of said elongated vertical opening, there beingright angle bores at the ends of said grooves remote from the verticalop a member having an engaging edge commensurate with and confrontingsaid transverse extending bod} me flange, said clip member beingassociated with said body member to yielding'ly cooperate with saidtransverseiy' ex" tending body memberflange, spaced ears on said clipmember, a toggle lever having a shank pivotally connected between saidspaced ears of said clip member, a sub stantially U-shap'ed pinextending transversely through said toggle lever above and parallel tothe pivotal connection thereof between said clip member ears, said U-shaped pin being complemental to the horizontal pin grooves in saidsemi-cylindrical confronting ears of said body membef for' inserttherein and the ends of the V- shaped'pin extending into the right anglebores to maintain said body member ears in rigid spaced relation withsaid toggle lever shank positioned in the elongated vertical opening ofsaid body member, and laterally extending hubs on said togglelevercomplemental to said pin and body member ears to provide spacedparallel pivotal connections of said toggle lever with said body andclip members and to preclude their accidental disassembly when said clipmember is in operative engagement with said body member flange.

2. In a garment engaging clasp, the combination with a substantiallyflat body member, of a transversely extending flange formed along thebottom of said body member, said body member having an elongatedvertical opening communicating with the top edge thereof, spacedsemi-cylindrical confronting ears, having horizontal pin grooves thereinformed on both sides of said elongated vertical opening, a clip memberhaving an engaging edge commensurate with and confronting saidtransverse extending body member flange, said clip member beingassociated With said body member to yieldingly cooperate with saidtransversely extending body member flange, spaced ears on said clipmember, a toggle lever having a shank pivotally connected between saidspaced ears of said clip member, a substantially U-shaped pin extendingtransversely through said toggle lever above and parallel to the pivotalconnection thereof between said clip member ears, said U-shaped pinbeing complemental to the horizontal pin grooves in saidsemi-cylindrical confronting ears of said body member for engageablemounting therein to maintain said body member bosses in rigid spacedrelation with said toggle lever shank positioned in the elongatedvertical opening of said body member, laterally extending hubs in saidtoggle lever complemental to said pin and body member bosses to providespaced parallel pivotal connections of said toggle lever with said bodyand clip members and to preclude their accidental disassembly when saidclip member is in operative engagement with said body member flange, androughened surfaces on the confronting engaging edge and flange of saidclip and body members.

3. In a garment engaging clasp, the combination with a substantiallyfiat body member, of a transversely extending flange formed along thebottom of said body member, said body member having an elongatedvertical opening communicating with the top edge thereof, spacedsemi-cylindrical confronting ears, having horizontal pin grooves thereinformed on both sides of said elongated vertical opening, a clip memberhaving an engaging edge commensurate with and confronting saidtransverse extending body member flange, said clip member beingassociated with said body member to yieldingly cooperate with saidtransversely extending body member flange, spaced ears on said clipmember, a toggle lever having a shank pivotally connected between saidspaced ears of said clip member, an elongated pin extending transverselythrough said toggle lever above and parallel to the pivotal connectionthereof between said clip member ears, said elongated pin beingcomplemental to the horizontal pin grooves in said semi-cylindricalconfronting ears of said body member for engageable mounting therein toma ntain said body member ears in rigid spaced relation with said togglelever shank positioned in the elongated vertical opening of said bodymember, laterally extending hubs on said toggle lever complemental tosaid pin and body member ears to' provide spacedparallel pivotalconnections of said toggle lever with said body and elip members and ;topreclude their accidental ldisassembly when' 'said clip member isinoperative engagement'with said-body member flange, and roughenedsurfaces on the confronting engaging edge and flange of said clip andbody members.

References Cited in tbe file of patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

